The Helios Hera 30 offers gear manufacturers a next-generation CNC hobbing solution for fine- and ultra-fine-pitch gears. Exclusively supplied by Helios Gear Products (formerly Koepfer America), the Hera 30 is domestically supported by over three decades of gear manufacturing technical expertise, so gear manufacturers have a trusted solution for hobbing spur gears, helical gears, straight bevel gears, and other hobbed profiles. Said Adam Gimpert, business manager for Helios, “The Helios Hera 30 combines modern technology, a globally competitive price, and our proven technical support for an ideal small gear cutting solution that gear manufacturers need today.”

The Hera 30 (built by YG Tech) features Siemens 828D control and synchronous direct drive motors for the headstock, tailstock, and hob head, which is ideal for easier fixturing of small parts. Linear scales are used on the X-axis with precision rails, ball screws, and bearings for precise repeatable control of size. The machine’s software provides easy dialog programming with advanced features like automatic shifting over damaged hob sections and automatic retraction of the hob head during a power failure. This leading combination of technology offers new opportunities for gear manufacturers to be more profitable.

The Hera 30 offers 8 CNC axes, 1 module (25 DP) pitch rating, 40 mm (1.575 in) maximum workpiece diameter, and 10,000 rpm maximum hob speed. Additionally, this machine has a radial travel of 75 mm (2.953 in) from 5 mm (0.197 in) to 80 mm (3.150 in) center distance between the work and hob axes, which allows cutting of a wide range of part sizes and types. The machine accommodates parts up to 127 mm (5.000 in) long with a maximum axial travel of 90 mm (3.543 in), from 65 mm (2.559 in) to 155 mm (6.102 in) axial position. For maximum productivity, the Hera 30 can use relatively large hobs with shifting up to 70 mm (2.756 in) and a maximum hob diameter of 38 mm (1.496 in).

The Hera 30 also includes streamlined dialog programming with visual examples to guide users and accelerate training. Operators easily enter data on a color touchscreen panel for cutting one or two gears on a single workpiece using single- or multiple-cut cycles with radial, axial, climb, or conventional hobbing (or any combination thereof). Additionally, crowning (lead modification) and automatic shifting over a damaged hob section are included, and lastly, burr-free hobbing can be performed using two equal hobs.

The machine’s compact size is 1.100 m (3.6 ft) wide by 1.375 m (4.5 ft) deep by 1.765 m (5.8 ft) high, and it weighs 2,000 kg (4,410 lb), which makes this a highly productive gear manufacturing solution in a very small package. For maximum productivity, a variety of automation systems can also be included, such as a gantry with (un)loading arm, bowl feeder, and other part-specific systems. Considering all the technology available in an affordable space-efficient footprint, manufacturers of gears up to approximately 40 mm diameter must consider the Hera 30 from Helios Gear Products as their machine tool of choice.

The YG Tech Co., Ltd., owner of the “Hera” brand, has constructed gear cutting machine tools since 1963, and the Hera series started in 2004, having grown to hundreds of installations around the world. Helios Gear Products is excited to offer and support the Hera line in North America with 30+ years of experience in machines, tools, engineering, and technical support.